Google's 20% rule spend on learning new skills and why it works

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Most people spend every second of their workday trying to keep up with their calendars and to-do lists — attending meetings, responding to emails, racing to meet deadlines. This makes it difficult to set aside time to explore ideas that interest us or learn new skills. And during a time when it’s impossible to predict how our jobs and industries will evolve, expanding our expertise is what gives us a competitive edge in the long-run. By Dorie Clark.

How can we ensure we make the time to stay ahead? Enter: Google’s “20% time” rule, a concept made popular when Google went public in 2004:

  • Clearly identify what you want to learn
  • Win — even if you lose
  • Be flexible and committed
  • Look for ways to make it fun
  • Think in decades

Just like with an investment in the stock market, when you invest time in your 20% projects, the power of compound interest is dramatic. What at first seems small and meaningless can enable you to put massive distance between you and your competitors. Good advice!

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Tags learning management cio agile